That's What I Call Marketing’s Post

🎨 Whether you're planning to visit the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity next year or just curious about the buzz it's creating in the media, we've got you covered with the essential information you need. Here, we delve into the basics of Cannes and spotlight some of this year's award winners. 👉 P.S. Don't forget to check their official website for detailed information about the festival itself, registration for next year, and a comprehensive list of those shortlisted and the winners from this year. #CannesLions2024 #AdvertisingAwards #FestivalOfCreativity #MarketingNews #MarketingTrends

One of the boldest presentations at the Cannes Festival was Mark Ritson's. In a packed room, Ritson questioned the true importance of creativity in advertising. His standout chart was bold: Cannes-awarded creatives from the past three years, measured by System 1, haven't outperformed the market average. This highlights a critical lesson: we often award creativity for its own sake, not its business impact. Cannes celebrates creativity, but Ritson's analysis challenges us to rethink our priorities. Creativity is important, but it's only one element of an entire marketing strategy and, when measured, is not one of the leading factors of success. #CannesFestival #MarkRitson #CreativityInAdvertising #BusinessImpact #MarketingInsights #RethinkPriorities

After spending last week at The Social Hub's Better Society Academy for DE&I, I'm back at work and reading posts about the Cannes Advertising Festival. This got me thinking about DE&I in the advertising industry. Throughout much of my media career, I felt the need to hold back parts of my identity to 'fit in' with a 'red-blooded' boss, a homophobic client, or by once feigning resilience when called a 'f****t' across the office for taking a last-minute client meeting in a room I hadn't booked. It would be easy to point out the inherent inequities at Cannes, like the exorbitant cost of festival tickets or the price of a bottle of rosé at the Gutter Bar. However, there seems to be progress being made through initiatives from the organizers and festival participants. The Haymarket Campaign Podcast offers some insightful discussions on this topic, and it’s freely available if you have 30 minutes to spare. https://lnkd.in/et9cfRsh DE&I should be a superpower in the ad industry, fueling creativity through diverse experiences and perspectives. When diverse teams and workplaces are supported by psychological safety, creativity thrives. It’s important for Cannes to keep pushing for inclusion as the old guard and old norms and fade out. In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about how psychological safety can drive creativity, feel free to reach out to Collaborate & Eight or DM me. I’m always up for a conversation. #DEI #Inclusion #Diversity #Creativity #Innovation #Advertising #CannesLions #PsychologicalSafety #TheSocialHub #TheBetterSocietyAcademy

I usually say that Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is for network, not for inspiration. But this year I came home inspired. I had the great pleasure of speaking about the Sounds Right initiative (https://lnkd.in/eHkwDi8A) and how we made Nature an official artist alongside Katja Iversen, Cathy Runciman and Adam Cardew hosted by Stan Stalnaker at the beautiful Hub Culture garden. And later, participating in the awe-inspiring round table at the Goals House hosted by Earth Public Information Collaborative about The Most Important Brief (https://lnkd.in/d_q7WmTP).   Both of those sessions were filled with inspirational people who believe in the power of creativity to drive change for the better. Eager to make more brands and companies move from purpose and profit to impact and responsibility. And looking across the winners it seems like we’re not alone in this mission. Not only did a lot of the winners involve a cause. They have also moved from the more gimmicky way of activating against a cause to creating actual long term impact. It is obviously impossible not to mention our own Pink Chip initiative by the amazing Amsterdam crew. But I also love the Sol Cement SightWalks project by Grey Peru. As well as the Mastercard Room for Everyone campaign by McCann Poland. Just to name a few. I do agree with Karen Howe that it is concerning how many cases – especially in the Glass Lions category – are centered on female oppression. Who would have thought that in 2024 we would have such a high need for creative problem solving within this area? But creativity is there. Having an impact. And this year to a higher degree than we have seen in a long time. If awarding creativity really is like smelling your own farts as Mark Ritson said on stage, this year the smell doesn’t really bother me.

Let’s talk empathy, but also: is designing from empathy just a new way of dressing up arrogance? Should we approach with sympathy or compassion first? And where does vulnerability fit into the design process? And is trust a byproduct or key ingredient? So excited to dig into all these questions this October in Amsterdam at the Design Thinking Conference. Hope to see you there! #designthinkingconference #designthinking #UX #contentstrategy #trustworthybook

While everyone (looking at you Michael Thill) is off enjoying the sun and creativity at Cannes Lions, here I am, not jealous at all. Seriously, not one bit jealous. Not even a little. For those unfamiliar, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a premier event in the advertising and communications industry. It runs from June 17-21 this year and features over 150 hours of content with around 500 speakers from across the globe. Icons like Deepak Chopra, Jay Shetty, and representatives from top companies like Google and P&G are sharing insights and innovations that are shaping the industry. https://lnkd.in/gv7s3rQH Why do we flock to events like this? The draw is in both the recognition and the opportunity for professional growth. From a behavioral science perspective, humans have a deep-seated desire for validation and acknowledgment. Awards like the Cannes Lions provide a platform to be judged and, hopefully, celebrated for our creativity and hard work. But why do we want to be judged? The answer lies in the psychological satisfaction of recognition, which can enhance self-esteem and motivate continued excellence. Beyond personal satisfaction, there are significant business reasons for pursuing these accolades. Winning at Cannes can enhance a company’s reputation, attract new clients, and justify higher fees for services. In essence, these awards are a tangible marker of success and a powerful marketing tool. However, at Havas Edge we believe that the best award is the trust and loyalty of our clients. While it's great to be recognized on such a prestigious stage, our ultimate goal is to consistently deliver value and results for our clients, day in and day out. That, to us, is the most meaningful accolade of all. Still, would be nice to be there.

If you will be in Cannes please join us. Introducing:  The TBWA Disruption® Seminar: Saving Creativity from Death by Algorithm

☀ I can't believe it's less then 2 months until Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2024 ☀ Digital Voices will be back and even bigger this year ✨ We have some INCREDIBLE events planned, you won't want to miss out 👯♂️ More details to come... in the meantime, reach out if you're planning on attending! #cannes2024 #canneslions #influencermarketing

Creativity is… “… the ability to imagine a better future” says the brilliantly imaginative Dora Osinde, our CCO in Ogilvy Germany. “Sometimes that is solving a mundane problem that makes your life just a bit easier, and sometimes it’s dreaming up big solutions to big problems. It’s mixing and matching, it’s remixing, it’s adding a little magic to what you already have and creating something better and new.” This makes me think of the brilliant FU CK HE LL PA IN for German Rail (https://lnkd.in/ei2Ay-sN). The campaign set out to remind the world that meeting in person is still an option, and in my opinion, a better one. Creativity not only helps us imagine a better future, it helps us see the world and live one. Let me know, what’s your view of creativity? #BorderlessCreativity #TeamOgilvy

Now boarding ✈ 💨 The second release in The Culture Calendar 2024 series! If you're in the business of crafting brand campaigns and activations, this is your golden ticket to 2024. 📅 Save the date: June. Destination: Paris. Event: Fête de la Musique 📅 In this edition, we dissect activations from iconic brands like Stussy, Inc., Nike, and Solomon. The standout lesson? It's all about the share of voice. The brands that truly embraced the cultural moment, seamlessly blending in and feeling like an integral part of the event, left a lasting impression. As Yusuf Ntahilaja, Creative Strategist & writer of Writer of Fountain of Yus puts it "Brands should curate experiences that lower the friction points." One effective approach is activating in public spaces, especially outdoors. There were a few brands and platforms that opted for indoor activations, which seemed to go against the very essence of what FDLM represents. Let's continue the conversation about crafting authentic brand experiences and embracing cultural events. Read more about our Parisian adventure below -